Better Builder Podcast

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This week on the Better Builder podcast, we sit down with Ben Lloyd from Lloyd Hartley Architects, on location at a small St Luke's office he designed in the corner of a busy Auckland car wash. Ben shares what it really takes to run a small architecture practice, how he guides clients through a stressful once-in-a-lifetime build, why holding firm on budget matters, and why early builder involvement is a game-changer for keeping projects on time and on budget.
Social Links 
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterbuilderpodcast
Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterbuilderpodcast
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/betterbuilderstudio
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-builder-podcast
Linktree - https://linktr.ee/betterbuilderpodcast

Better Builder is hosted by Brad Visser. Brad is the CEO and founder of Gro, a builder centric agency that helps custom home builders attract higher quality projects. 
Brad’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/betterbradvisser
Gro’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gro.agency
Gro’s Offer https://builder.groagency.co/vsl

Disclaimer
This podcast does not constitute professional advice (financial, legal or otherwise) and you should seek your own professional advice where required. By listening to and/or accessing this podcast you acknowledge this, and you acknowledge that no warranty, guarantee or representation is made as to the accuracy of any information featured in this ...

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Lawrence is a second-year building apprentice from Tauranga who joins Brad for an honest chat about life on the tools. He breaks down how the apprenticeship actually works: the trainer visits, the night classes, the book work, and the mistakes along the way. They cover site culture, the first-year learning curve, why he chose the trades, and what makes a good apprentice. Plus a rapid-fire round on tools, energy drinks, rugby and more.
Social Links 
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterbuilderpodcast
Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterbuilderpodcast
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/betterbuilderstudio
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-builder-podcast
Linktree - https://linktr.ee/betterbuilderpodcast

Better Builder is hosted by Brad Visser. Brad is the CEO and founder of Gro, a builder centric agency that helps custom home builders attract higher quality projects. 
Brad’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/betterbradvisser
Gro’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gro.agency
Gro’s Offer https://builder.groagency.co/vsl

Disclaimer
This podcast does not constitute professional advice (financial, legal or otherwise) and you should seek your own professional advice where required. By listening to and/or accessing this podcast you acknowledge this, and you acknowledge that no warranty, guarantee or representation is made as to the accuracy of any information featured in this ...

Send us Fan Mail
This week on the Better Builder podcast, we sit down with Matt Garlick, founder of Supreme Builders NZ, to talk about what it actually takes to execute high-end architectural construction in some of the most remote, awkward locations across the Bay of Islands. Originally a carpenter from Kent, UK, Matt moved to New Zealand at age 22 and has spent the last two decades cutting his teeth on complex, regional builds.
In this episode, Matt pulls back the curtain on the brutal logistical challenges of island building—including the extreme management required to shuffle subcontractors back and forth via workboats with limited passenger capacity, and what happens when your concrete pump breaks down on a secluded island mid-pour. He also shares his approach to fostering a tight, hands-on crew culture, mentoring Gen-Z apprentices, and transitioning from an employee to a business owner handling complex architectural expectations.
Social Links 
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterbuilderpodcast
Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterbuilderpodcast
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/betterbuilderstudio
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-builder-podcast
Linktree - https://linktr.ee/betterbuilderpodcast

Better Builder is hosted by Brad Visser. Brad is the CEO and founder of Gro, a builder centric agency that helps custom home builders attract higher quality projects. 
Brad’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/betterbradvisser
Gro’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gro.agency
Gro’s Offer https://builder.groagency.co/vsl

Disclaimer
This podcast does not constitute professional advice (financial, legal or otherwise) and you should seek your own professional advice where required. By listening to and/or accessing this podcast you acknowledge this, and you acknowledge that no warranty, guarantee or representation is made as to the accuracy of any information featured in this ...

Send us Fan Mail
Architect Paul joins the Better Builder podcast for our second outdoor episode of the season, sitting down on location to discuss the brutal realities of building on an island. From navigating the nightmare logistics of ferry-bound concrete trucks and winter storms to making 2,600 boat trips over the water, Paul pulls back the curtain on what it truly takes to project manage a build isolated from the mainland.⁠
Social Links 
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterbuilderpodcast
Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterbuilderpodcast
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/betterbuilderstudio
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-builder-podcast
Linktree - https://linktr.ee/betterbuilderpodcast

Better Builder is hosted by Brad Visser. Brad is the CEO and founder of Gro, a builder centric agency that helps custom home builders attract higher quality projects. 
Brad’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/betterbradvisser
Gro’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gro.agency
Gro’s Offer https://builder.groagency.co/vsl

Disclaimer
This podcast does not constitute professional advice (financial, legal or otherwise) and you should seek your own professional advice where required. By listening to and/or accessing this podcast you acknowledge this, and you acknowledge that no warranty, guarantee or representation is made as to the accuracy of any information featured in this ...

Send us Fan Mail
Charlie is a 19-year-old, third-year building apprentice from Auckland who joins Brad for an honest chat about life on the tools. From a school work-experience day on a commercial site to choosing residential building over sparky or plumbing work, Charlie breaks down how the apprenticeship actually works — the training, the book work, the pay structure, and the mistakes (and injuries) along the way. They talk site culture, staying motivated through winter, ignoring the "get rich quick" hype on social media, and what it takes to be a good apprentice. Plus a rapid-fire round on tools, music, festivals, and more.
Social Links 
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betterbuilderpodcast
Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@betterbuilderpodcast
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/betterbuilderstudio
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/better-builder-podcast
Linktree - https://linktr.ee/betterbuilderpodcast

Better Builder is hosted by Brad Visser. Brad is the CEO and founder of Gro, a builder centric agency that helps custom home builders attract higher quality projects. 
Brad’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/betterbradvisser
Gro’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gro.agency
Gro’s Offer https://builder.groagency.co/vsl

Disclaimer
This podcast does not constitute professional advice (financial, legal or otherwise) and you should seek your own professional advice where required. By listening to and/or accessing this podcast you acknowledge this, and you acknowledge that no warranty, guarantee or representation is made as to the accuracy of any information featured in this ...